About FISH
History of Cortez
Cortez was settled in the 1800s by families – some of whose namesake still live in the village today – who were lured by the bountiful marine resources of the region. This small but mighty fishing village was built on mullet and has diversified over the years to remain a top producer of Florida seafood. If you are eating wild caught Florida seafood, there is a very strong chance that it crossed the docks of Cortez. This hard-working community is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most authentic Florida fishing communities left in the state of Florida.
FISH History
In 1991 the Cortez Village Historical Society (CVHS), and a commercial fishing organization, the Organized Fishermen of Florida (OFF) united and became an activist organization, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH). The grass roots not for profit was established and received its IRS 501(c)(3) status in May of that year.
Mission
We are dedicated to the promotion, education and preservation of Cortez and Florida’s commercial fishing and other traditional maritime cultures including the environment upon which these communities depend.
The FISH Preserve
In 2000, FISH spearheaded an effort to purchase nearly 100 acres of land immediately adjacent to the village of Cortez. This parcel of land, known as the FISH Preserve, represents the last undeveloped stretch of waterfront on Sarasota Bay that encompasses mangrove and wetland habitat that are critical to local fisheries. The FISH Preserve is more than just a piece of land, it represents a community’s way of life.
About the Preserve
After the purchase of additional land, the FISH Preserve now encompasses 100+ acres of environmentally sensitive land that is the process of being restored by the organization. For hundreds of years, this site has provided a vital fisheries habitat, bordering the south end of the village and an area of Sarasota Bay fondly referred to as the “Cortez Kitchen.” FISH’s fight to save this land from development was a success, but there is still a mortgage to pay and work to be done. FISH will continue its efforts to restore and protect this natural treasure for future generations, but we need your help!
How FISH is Funded
Each year the village of Cortez hosts a Commercial Fishing Festival on the 3rd weekend of February that is attended by thousands of whom who support our mission of land preservation and building restoration. All proceeds of the event go to FISH and efforts that support our mission.
The Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
In 1981 the first event drew 500 people. Since then, the festival has grown from a one-day event to two days with an average attendance of 20,000 people. Considering that the entire village is less than 10 blocks, that’s a lot of visitors for the community.